SNAP4CT Blog

If your meals are feeling a little bland, herbs are the answer to kicking up the flavor. Not sure how to add them? Use this quick recipe to whip your herbs into a delish chimichurri. Watch our tutorial video, then use your chimichurri to top meats, pastas, or whatever needs a flavor-boost!

Quick & Easy Chimichurri

Ingredients:

1 cup parsley

¼cup cilantro

2 garlic cloves

½cup olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

⅓ cup wine vinegar

1 jalapeño or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until well combined.

OR

Combine olive oil, salt, vinegar, and lemon juice in a medium bowl.

Finely chop the parsley, cilantro, garlic, and jalapeño (if using). Add to the olive oil mixture and stir to combine.

Many recipes call for fresh herbs to take the flavor up a notch, but sometimes you may only have dried herbs on hand. How do you know how much to use? Since dried and fresh herbs don't measure out equally, use the chart below to see how much to use when converting from one to the other.

Fresh

Dried

Growing your own food is a fun way to save money and get you (and your kids!) eating healthier. No room for a lush garden in your backyard? Or no backyard at all? Don't let that keep you from planting! "Container gardens" are easy to care for and work in just about any space. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Pick your plant.

For sunny spots OUTSIDE:

For sunny spots INSIDE:

2. Pick your container. It could be a jar, can, or milk carton!

3. Add drainage.

Poke holes in the container bottom (you can use a hammer and nail with cans). For solid containers like glass or clay, add small rocks for drainage.

4. Add the plant + potting soil to your container.

You don't have to add plant food, but your plant will grow more if you do!

5. Pick a sunny spot near a window or outside, and enjoy!

Here are a few recipes to make with your home-grown fruits, veggies, or herbs!

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​This information was funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP.SNAP helps low-income people buy nutritious food for a better diet. To get more information contact the CT Department of Social Services at 1 855 626-6632 or www.CT.gov/dss.